Animal-trap.



0. L. MCAFEE.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED 111111.19, 1912.

3 'v1/ven to@ Patented Deo. 24, 1912.

Vso

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

CHARLES L. MCAFEE, OF BEVERLY, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO FUNSTEN BROTHERS &COMPANY, OF S'I. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES L. hloArnn, acitizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county ofLincoln and State of Kansas, have invented certain. new and usefulImprovements in Animal-T raps; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make andV use thesame.

This invention relates to improvements in animal traps, and moreparticularly to the construction of the gripping teeth thereof and themeans for attaching the same to the trap.

The object of the invention is therefore in the construction of anattachment of the class described which can be readily and securablyfixed to one side or arm of the trap, the latter being of conventionaldesign.

A further and important object of the invention consists in theparticular formation and arrangement of `the attaching lugs forming apart of the plate of one of the gripping jaws of the trap, whereby,said. plate is readily and rigidly secured to the With these and otherobjects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts as will be more fully describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a perspective View of a trapto which the invention is secured; Fig. 2 is a transverse section takenon the line 2-2 of Fig. l.; Fig. 3 is a similar section taken on theline 3-3 of Fig 1; Fig. 4 is also a similar view taken on the line 4 4of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a blank from which thegripping jaw is formed.

Inthe illustrated embodiment of the in,- vention 1 represents an animaltrap of conventional design which as usual is composed of two hingedlyconnected jaws 2 which are adapted to be forced together by a one piecespring 3 having a looped upper end 4 and a bait trip lever 5 and a lugforming an extension of the lower end of said spring and passing throughthe loop 4 to which one end of the jaws is hingedly attached, the innerend of said trip lever being movably attached to the lug below the saidloop and having its intermediate interlocking portion Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed March 19, 1912.

Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

Serial No. 684,845.

adapted for engagement with the loop as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The invention consists of a gripping jaw in the form of a metallic strip6, the upper edge of which is serrated or provided with teeth 7, thelength of said plate being substantially the length of the curved'innersurface of the jaw 2 of the trap to which the same is rigidly attached.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1 the serrated edge of the plate 6 projects asuitable distance above the upper edge of the hinge jaw of the trap towhich same is attached, and only one of such plates is employed inproperly carrying out the utility and advantages of the invention.

As clearly shown in Fig. 5 the serrated plate G is composed ofcomparatively thin metal with oppositely and alternately projectingextensions or arms S, the adjacent edges of which are adapted to bebindingly brought in contact when the same are folded around the jaw 2of the trap as clearly shown in Fig. l.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 5 it will be observed that the plate 6 isprovided with outwardly projecting short lugs 9ithe lengt-h of whichcorresponds substantially to the width of the upper edge of the jaw 2 towhich the plate is attached and in frictional Contact with the same whenthe arms 8 are bindingly brought around said jaw and closely positionedin respect thereto. It will thus be seen that said plate 6 in view ofthe construction of the same is rigidly held in proper position inrespect to jaw 2 of the trap with the serrated portion thereofprojecting a suitable distance above the upper edge of the jaw to whichthe same is attached.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1 the arms 8 when folded about the jaw 2 of thetrap will form spaces 10 at intervals along the length of the pluralityof disposed teeth of the plate and when the same are thus folded, theplate is properly strengthened.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the plate 6cannot possibly move or shift its position in respect to the jaw towhich it is attached, the opposite ends of said plate being in contactwith the rear straight continuation of the jaw and the hinge portionthereof.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construct-ion and operation of the inventionWill be readily understood vvithout requiring a more extendedexplanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details ofconstruct-ion may be resorted to Without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this 'invention7 as defined in theappended claim.

I claim as my invention:

Thecoinbination With a trap of the character described, of a yieldingplate adapted to conform to the curvature of one of the movable aWs ofthe trap and extending between the pivoted ends of the aWs, the upperedge of said plate being provided With teeth, arms forming a part of theplate and projecting in alternate directions therefrom and adapted forbinding contact With one another and with the a-W of the trap to Whichthe plate is attached, and lugs projecting Yfrom the plate forengagement With the upper edge oi' the jaw, said lug being positionedbetween the arms of the plate.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWosubscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES L. MCAFEE.

Vitnesses PETE BERGMAN, W. A. DEHNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

